Māori & Pacific support

Learning Developers (Māori & Pacific)

Kia ora, Mālō e lelei, tālofa lava, ni sa bula vinaka, kia orāna, halo long yufala, faka'alofa lahi atu, aloha mai kākou and warm Pacific greetings.

Student Learning has five Māori and Pacific Learning Developers. We are committed to supporting all our students in all faculties and at all levels at the university so that they engage in their studies, and are successful in their individual academic pathways.

Vicky Young - Learning Developer, Hamilton

Kia ora, I am Vicky Young (Ngā Puhi, Te Rarawa). I have been teaching at Waikato University, including WMS, since 1988. I am a Waikato graduate, and have a BA (Japanese), a PGDip SLT, and an MA (Applied Linguistics, Japanese and Education). I am passionate about working with all students, both international and domestic, and am committed to enhancing Māori student success.  To make an appointment with me, you can make an online consultation or email me at: vicky.young@waikato.ac.nz

Marie-Christine Wells - Learning Developer, Hamilton

Halo olketa, my homeland is beautiful Vanuatu, NZ being my second home. I’ve had teaching stints in Vanuatu, PNG and NZ high schools, and spent some years teaching in universities in Bahrain and Japan. I like my current role as I get to enjoy assisting students improve their academic performance, and see them graduate and realise their career dreams. For help with any aspect of academic writing, reading, language etc., either book an appointment with me online, or email me at: marie-christine.wells@waikato.ac.nz Lukim yu.

Paul Woller - Learning Developer, Tauranga

Kia ora koutou. Ko Paul Woller tōku ingoa. He hunaonga Pākehā o te hapū o Ngāi Tamarāwaho. I provide advice and assistance to students to develop their academic literacy skills with a focus on assignment writing, reading strategies, time management, referencing, mathematics and statistics, and much more. I’m in Room 1.25 on the 1st floor most days between 8:30am and 5:00pm. Either make an appointment for a 50-minute individual consultation (email me at paul.woller@waikato.ac.nz) or just drop in. If the door is open and I’m there by myself, that means I’m free to chat. Ngā mihi ki a koutou.

Inga Tamou - Learning Developer, Māori

Kia ora tatou, Ko Taranaki toku maunga, Ko Ngāruahine Rangi toku iwi, Ko Kanihi toku marae, Ko Umutahi toku hapū, Ko Tamou toku whanau, Ko Inga toku ingoa. I love teaching and coaching and I have been fortunate to do both in NZ secondary schools for 8 years and in international schools in Chile and Indonesia for 14 years. Currently I assist students in all forms of academic writing, reading, planning and organisation. I enjoy making learning simple and acknowledge the sacrifice and support that is needed to be successful. You can make an online consultation or email me at: inga.tamou@waikato.ac.nz or just pop in to the centre.

Roshila Singh - Learning Developer, Pacific

Bula, I was born and raised in the Fiji Islands.  In my role as Learning Developer, I assist students with study skills and academic literacy. This involves most things ranging from time management, study planning, academic reading and academic writing. Currently, I am operating from the Fiji Islands and am available for 50 minute individual consultations via zoom or for online written comments. You can email me at roshilas@waikato.ac.nz to set up an appointment for a meeting. Vinaka.

We work with you on any academic skills and assignments, and we guide you through the process of understanding and applying that knowledge.

Come and see us for individual appointments or, if a few of you are wanting the same kind of assistance, you can come in as a group. If we do not offer the service that you need, we will find the right person to help you, so don’t hesitate to come in and talk to any one of us.

Types of support

We can help you with any of the following and more:

Academic study              

• Effective time management
• Interpreting assignment questions
• Planning & organising assignment content
• Referencing
• Note-taking/making
• Smart reading strategies
• Academic writing
• Exam preparation

You can access our resources for Academic skills

Maths & Stats

• Confidence in mathematical & statistical skills
• Understanding maths and stats concepts in your field of study
• Effective strategies to deal with mathematical and statistical question in your field of study

You can access our Maths and Stats resources

English language

• Expressing  ideas clearly in oral & written form
• Understanding reading materials
• Developing listening skills
• Extending your vocabulary
• Understanding grammatical structures in writing

You can access our English resources

Technology support

You can get help with any query relating to technology with our eTuts. The eTuts are students who are trained by our centre to provide students and lecturers with learning/teaching software ranging from Google Docs, Calendar, Excel, Powerpoint, Microsoft tools, Moodle, Panopto etc.

eTuts are available at Hamilton and Tauranga campuses.

Student Learning consultations

You can book a consultation with a Learning Developer in Hamilton or Tauranga.

Hamilton campus:

We are in Student Learning, Centre for Tertiary Teaching and Learning (CeTTL), located on Level 1, M.1.04, of the Student Centre.

Walk in, approach reception and request to see one of us.  If there is no one at the reception, PLEASE ring the bell and someone will attend to you.

Book an appointment with us to get some advice on your assignment.

Appointments are available from 9:10am – 4pm, ending at 4:50pm.

Each appointment is 50 minutes in duration.

You have the option of any of the following appointment types:

Face-to-face appointments:

Tauranga campus:

We are on the 1^st floor,  Room 1.25 of the Tauranga Campus Building.

Online Zoom appointment:

You don’t have to travel to campus – instead, meet with a Learning Developer online via Zoom.  The Learning Developer will send you a Zoom invite  link that you click on to access the appointment.

Online written feedback:

Send in your draft and your specific request. A Learning Developer will give you written feedback and return your draft online within 24 hours. You will also be able to view your Turnitin similarity report.

Book a consultation through Moodle:

1. Access the booking form by clicking on Book a consultation in the drop-down box.

2.  Fill in the form ensuring you fill in all areas marked with a red asterisk mark, and submit.

Book a consultation via the Student Learning website:

Click on the 'Book a consultation now' button on any of the pages of the Student Learning website.